Housing for indicating lamp or other electrical components



y 1967 H. RUEGER 3,320,607 7 HOUSING FOR INDICATING LAMP OR OTHERELECTRICAL COMPONENTS Filed 001;. 25, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 v IINVENTOR. j g HERMAN PUEGER C B 7 BY May 16, 1967 H. RUEGER 3,320,607

HOUSING FOR INDICATING LAMP OR OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS Filed Oct.25, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HERMAN P0265? May 16, 1967 H. RUEGER3,320,607

HOUSING FOR INDICATING LAMP OR OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS Filed Oct.25, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 v INVENTOR.

' HERMAN Pueealz E 1.:

H. RUEGER May 16, 1967 HOUSING FOR INDICATING LAMP OR OTHER ELECTRICALCOMPONENTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Filed Oct. 25 1963 R R 2 NE WU N R N H M R E H United States Patent O3,320,607 HOUSING FOR INDICATIN G LAMP OR OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPGNENTSHerman Rneger, Lancaster, Pa., assignor to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg,Pa. Filed Oct. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 318,977 17 Claims. (Cl. 340381) Thisinvention relates to lamp housings adapted preferably to be mounted on amounting means, such as a panel and in which indicating lamps or othersuitable electrical components are mounted.

The use of indicating lamps, especially in small form, due tominiaturization and other features, has become increasingly important inmany fields, such as testing, appliance, communication, automotive,computer, control, etc., in order to provide an indication for variousconditions or functions.

One problem with regard to prior art housings has been that they are toolarge and bulky. Another problem has been that they have more than oneseparate part. A further problem has been that the housings have notprovided suflicient protection to the parts encased therein. Anadditional problem has been that the housings have not been adaptablefor mounting on mounting means of various thicknesses. A still furtherproblem has been that additional means have been used to mount thehousings on mounting means which makes the housing difi'icult to mountand dismount.

The present invention, therefore, obviates the foregoing and otherproblems, and it is an important object of the present invention toprovide a housing which is small in size and not bulky and which isadapted to be utilized in a small space.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a housing whichcan be easily mounted on various size mounting means without the use ofadditional complicated means such as screws, bolts, threads, etc.

A further object of the present invent-ion is the provision of a housingwhich provides sufficient protection to the parts disposed therein.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a housingwhich is cheap to manufacture, rugged in construction, long lasting andreadily replaceable.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a novelconnector member to interconnect the leads of the electrical componentdisposed in the housing and the electrical supply leads.

A still additional object of the present invention is the provision of acombined mounting post and strain relief in the housing.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the followingdetailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings inwhich there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of theinvention; it is to be understood, however, that this embodiment is notintended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention but is given forpurposes of illustration in the invention and principles thereof and themanner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify it invarious forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of aparticular use.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the housing in an open position withoutany components therein;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a part cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIGURE1;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of a connector element that can be utilizedwith the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 65 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 but of an alternative embodimenttherof;

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of a lens member for use with thepresent invention;

FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is an exploded perspective view of the housing and componentsto be disposed thereon;

FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 1212 of FIGURE 11and with the components in place;

FIGURE 13 is a part-sectional view showing the connector element ofFIGURES 5 and 6 in operation;

FIGURE 14 is a perspective exploded View of the present invention;

FIGURES 15 and 16 show the housing of 'FIGURE 14 and lens mounted indifferent size panels;

FIGURES 17-20 show an embodiment of the present invention mounted indifferent size panels; and FIGURE 21 shows a further embodiment of thepresent invention.

The present invention will be described in connection with a signallamp; however, it is to be understood that other electrical componentscan be housed therein, such as switches, thermi-stors, photocells, etc.

Turning now to the drawings, and more particularly FIGURES 1-4, there isshown a one-piece housing H comprising a body B and a cover C. Body Bincludes a floor 1, walls 2, a sleeve section 3 and stabilizing members4.

Extending outwardly from floor 1 within walls 2 are engaging members 5,mounting and retaining posts 6 and separating members 7. An opening 8 isdisposed in floor 2.

Engaging members 5 have substantially the same height as walls 2, andcover C engages them and the tops of the walls in order to be supportedthereby when the housing is closed. A space is provided between walls 2and engaging members 5. Posts 6 are preferably cylindrical incross-section and each include a tapered section 6' at the outer end anda slot 6" disposed therein. Slot 6" is tapered at the entrance thereof.

Wall-s 2, except the end wall adjacent separating member 7, haveextensions 2 which are not as thick as walls 2 and whose outer surfacesare in the same plane as the outer surfaces of the walls. Sinceextensions 2' are not as thick as walls 2, the tops of the Walls providethe support mentioned above for cover C. As can be seen, housing Hpreferably inclines slightly toward the longitudinal axis thereof.Extensions 2' on the front wall and side walls, except the inclinedpart, have tapered ends; however, if desired, the extensions on the sidewalls can be one piece and have a V-shaped notch disposed therein at thepoint of inclination.

Separating members 7 has a projection 7' extending outwardly therefrom.The sides of separating member 7 are spaced from walls 2, and they taperto a point contiguous opening 8. Cover C is hingedly connected to thetop end part of separating member 7 by a piece 9, and the sectionthereof adjacent member 7 is preferably thinner than cover C in order toallow the cover to be easily bent over onto body B.

Cover C has a configuration corresponding to that provided by walls 2and comprises reinforcing projections 10 and an opening 11 therein whichengages projection 7 when the cover is placed into position on body B inorder to aid in retaining the cover in closed position and to preventthe cover from peeling. Opening 11 is pref- 3 erably tapered in order toeasily engage projection 7.

Sleeve section 3 has a bore 3' corresponding to the diameter of opening8 and is in communication therewith. Sleeve section 3 is preferablydisposed at right angles to floor 1 but can be disposed at other angularpositions with respect thereto depending upon the prevailing conditions.Spaced ribs 12 are on the outer surface of sleeve section 3 and extendoutwardly therefrom. The outer part of sleeve section 3 has an outersmooth surface 13 which has a smaller diameter than the part containingribs 12. The outer end of sleeve section 3 and the outer end of the ribcontaining part are preferably tapered.

Members 4 extend outwardly from floor 1 and are parallel with respect tothe axis of sleeve section 3 and can be any predetermined length. Whileonly three have been shown, it is obvious that more can be provided.

Housing H is made of any suitable dielectric material such as nylon,polypropylene, etc., and is preferably molded; however, it can be madein any manner to attain the desirable result.

Turning now to FIGURES and 6, there is shown a connector element CEwhich is adapted to engage each of posts 6. The connector element ispreferably formed by conventionally stamping a sheet metal blank orstrip of a suitable, electrically-conductive material such as brass,bronze or other alloy; the metal being sufficiently hard to provideexcellent spring quality thereto. Connector element CE comprises aferrule portion F and an engaging portion E. Ferrule portion F includesconductor engaging section 14 and insulation engaging section 15 forengaging a conductor means (not shown). If desired, insulation engagingsection 15 can be eliminated and only conductor engaging section 14 canbe utilized to mechanically and electrically secure the conductor ofconductor means 16 as shown in FIGURES 11-13 by cold-forging techniquesdisclosed in US. Patent 2,600,- 012. Of course, the conductor can besecured to the ,connector element by other means, if desired.

Post-engaging portion E comprises a cup-shaped section 17 having anaperture 18 in the bottom thereof with radial slits 19 extendingoutwardly therefrom to form substantially triangularly-shaped springengaging members 20 which resiliently engage posts 6 (see FIGURE FIGURES7 and 8 show an embodiment of the connector element designated CE. Inthis embodiment, connector element CE is similar to FIGURES 5 and 6except instead of a ferrule portion F, there is provided a tab portion Textending outwardly from engaging portion E. Tab portion T is connectedto cup-shaped section 17 by an intermediate section 21 connected to thetop of cup-shaped section 17. Intermediate section 21 has extendingoutwardly from each surface thereof projections 21 which providestrength therefor.

The free end of tab portion T is preferably tapered at the sides andends to facilitate the insertion thereon of a suitable connector element(not shown) such as the receptacle connector element disclosed in US.Patent Nos. 2,774,951 and 2,791,755. Tab portion T also preferablyincludes lugs 22 extending outwardly from each side which act as stopmeans to prevent the receptacle connector element from passingtherebeyond.

While the electrical connector has been described as being frictionallymounted on plastic posts 6, it is to be understood that it can befrictionally mounted on other types of posts such as metal, wood, etc.

FIGURES 9 and 10 illustrate the lens structure L which has a tubularsection 23 whose inside diameter is slightly greater than surface 13 ofsleeve section 3 onto which the lens is mounted. The entrance to section23 is tapered in order to facilitate the insertion of the lens ontosleeve section 3. Lens section 24 extends across one end of section 23and preferably has an inner serrated or scored surface and an outersmooth curved surface. An annular flange 25 extends outwardly from theouter surface of tubular section 23 adjacent lens section 24. Spacedribs 23' also are disposed on the outer surface of tubular section 23and the height thereof and the spacing therebetween preferablycorrespond-s to those of ribs 12 of sleeve section 3. The outer ends ofribs 23 are preferably tapered to facilitate easy insertion within anaperture of a mounting means.

Lens structure L is preferably molded from a suitable plastic materialsuch as nylon, Plexiglas, glass, etc., and can be made in differentcolors such as, red, orange, amber, yellow or natural (clear) therebyproviding interchangeable color combinations. While the lens structureis provided with different colors, the housing is preferably one color.Also, the lens structure can be made into other desirable shapes.

FIGURE 11 shows the housing H in an open position in order to receive aconventional lamp 26, such as a neon lamp means having lead wires 27, 28extending outwardly therefrom; a proper size resistor 29 having one lead31) serially connected to lead 28 and another lead 31; connectorelements CE provided with conductor means 16; and lens structure 1.While a neon lamp means has been described, it is to be understood thatan incandescent lamp means or other similar lamp means can also be usedin place thereof.

In assembly, as shown in FIGURES 11-13, lamp means 26 is disposed withinsleeve 3; resistor 29 is disposed between the front wall and engagingmembers 5; lead wire 27 is disposed in theslot of respective post 6;lead wire 31 is disposed between an engaging member 5 and a side walland in the slot of respective post 6; and the cupshaped section 17 ofeach connector element is forced onto each post 6 through aperture 18 sothat each lead wire is bent against the sides of post 6 and againstfloor 1 by spring-engaging members 20 and the bottom of the cupshapedsection. Spring-engaging members 20 engage their corresponding posts 6in such a manner to provide a secure engagement therebetween which inturn, provides excellent electrical connection as well as excellentretention properties thereby obviating electrical and mechanicaldisconnection.

After the components have been properly arranged in housing H, cover Cis then folded into position thereover as shown in FIGURE 12 intoengagement with engaging members 5, walls 2, and posts 6, separatingmember 7 and projection 7' passes through opening 11. Heat is applied toextensions 2 in order to bend them into engagement with cover C wherethey remain in order to maintain the cover in position. As can be seenfrom FIGURE 12, part of the insulation of conductor means 16 is disposedwithin the housing. Thus, no bare parts of the electrical components areuncovered thereby providing a housing structure which is compact, strongand one piece.

While the foregoing provides a housing with conductor means permanentlyconnected therein, connector elements CE of FIGURES 7 and 8 may beutilized so that no conductor means are permanently connected in thehousing, but the tab portions thereof extend outwardly from the housingand are engaged by connector elements such as that disclosed in theabove-mentioned patents. This enables the oonductor means to be quicklyconnected and disconnected from the assembly when necessary.

FIGURES 15 and 16 show the embodiment described hereinabove mounted inpanel means P. As shown in FIGURE 15, housing H is disposed in anopening of aperture 32 of panel means P which has a thickness greaterthan sleeve section 3 of housing H. Aperture 32 has a diameter betweenthe outside diameter provided by ribs 12 and the outer surface of sleeve3 so that when sleeve 3 is inserted within aperture 32, it will beretained therein by ribs 12 as a result of frictional engagementtherebetween. As can be seen, members 4 engage panel means P in order tolimit the inward movement of sleeve 3 within aperture 32. Members 4 canbe provided with a predetermined length during molding of the housing orcan be provided with a length equal to the ribbed section of sleeve 3and cut to the desired length when the housing is to be inserted in apanel means.

Lens structure L is inserted within the other opening of aperture 32 andis retained therein by ribs 23' in a similar manner as the housing.Flange 25 abuts against panel means P to limit the inner movement of thelens.

As can be discerned, there has been provided a housing which can beretained within an aperture of a panel means which has a thicknessgreater than the part of the housing disposed therein. The same is truewith regard to the lens structure.

FIGURE 16 is similar to that of FIGURE except panel means P is thinnerthan that of FIGURE 15 so that members 4 are longer and lens structure Lengages surface 13. The housing and lens structure can therefore bedisposed on panel means of various thicknesses. Thus, the ribs of thehousing and lens structure frictionally engaging the aperture and thefrictional engagement of the lens structure on the housing provide anexcellent mounting on panel means P. In addition, members 4 engaging thepanel means provide stability so that the housing cannot be easilyrocked, thereby causing the housing to be worked free of its mountedposition.

While the housing and lens structure have been described as separateelements, it is obvious that they can be formed as an integral unit. Ifthis is the desired structure, the lens can still be various colorswhich naturally will render the unit the same color as that of the lens,and, of course, the flange will not be necessary.

FIGURES 17-20 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention which isthe same as the embodiment described above except that no stabilizingmembers 4 are provided on housing H. Instead of members 4, there isprovided a spacer sleeve 4 of suitable material such as plastic, metal,etc., which has an inside diameter between the outside diameter providedby ribs 12 and the outer surface of sleeve 3.

In FIGURE 17, housing H and lens structure L are disposed in aperture 32of panel means P as in FIGURE 15, and since the panel means is thickenough, no spacer sleeve is necessary. However, in FIGURES 1820, aspacer sleeve is utilized in order to provide stability in FIGURE 18 andin FIGURES l9 and 20, the spacer sleeve not only provides stability butalso part of the mounting means. Thus, the length of spacer sleeve 4 isdetermined by the thickness of the panel means in the same manner asmembers 4.

While FIGURES 15 and 17 show a panel means of large thickness, greaterthicknesses can be used. If this be the case, then the aperture can becoated with a reflective substance in order to aid the transmission oflight from the lamp means.

FIGURE 21 shows a further embodiment of the present invention whichcomprises a housing H" similar to that in FIGURES 17-20 but preferablywith the surface 13 eliminated, and sleeve 3' is retained in an openingin panel means P" by ribs 12. Lens structure L is smaller than sleeve 3and is disposed in a smaller opening in the panel means which is incommunication with the sleeve opening. Of course, housing H" and lensstructure L' without a flange can be an integral unit and the ribs onthe sleeve and lens structure would provide adequate retentioncharacteristics to maintain the housing in place.

The part of housing H and H" adjacent the sleeve in FIGURES 17 and 21engages the mounting or panel means thereby providing stability thereforas does members 4 and spacer sleeve 4' in FIGURES 16 and 17-20.

The present invention provides for the removal of the housing from themounting means while leaving the lens structure thereon, if theseelements are separate; and the housing keeps the electrical componentsand their lead wires in place thereby preventing accidental shiftingcausing shorts.

As can be discerned from the foregoing, there has been described aunique housing which houses electrical components therein in aprotective and compact manner as well as a housing which is easilymounted on a mounting means of various thicknesses and which does notrequire much space. The housing is, therefore, versatile, has highelectrical and mechanical quality, is simple in assembly and inexpensivein construction. In addition, there has been described a novelelectrical connector to be utilized in connection with the instanthousing or other suitable connections.

It will, therefore, be appreciated that the aforementioned and otherdesirable objects have been achieved; however, it should be emphasizedthat the particular embodiments of the invention, which are shown anddescribed herein, are intended as merely illustrative and not asrestrictive of the invention.

I claim:

1. An insulative housing for containing electrical components comprisinga body portion having a sleeve section and a cover section hingedlyconnected thereto, post means disposed on said body portion, meansengaging said post means to make electrical connection with theelectrical components in said body portion, said post means providingstrain relief for the electrical connection and means to maintain saidcover section in a closed position on said body portion overlying saidelectrical components.

2. An insulative housing according to claim 1 wherein said sleevesection includes retaining ribs thereon which are adapted tofrictionally engage an opening in a mounting means to retain the housingthereon.

3. An insulative housing according to claim 1 wherein said housing isprovided with stabilizing means to stabilize said body portion upon saidhousing being mounted on a mounting means.

4. A housing for containing a light bulb comprising a body portion ofdielectric material having a base and Walls, a sleeve section extendingoutwardly from said base at substantially right angles thereto in whichsaid light bulb is disposed, a cover member hingedly connected to one ofsaid walls, post means on said base within said walls on whichelectrical leads of the light bulb are disposed, means engaging saidpost means for interconnecting the light bulb leads and the electricalsupply leads, said post means thereby providing electrical connectionfor the electrical leads and strain relief therefor, and means tomaintain said cover member in a closed position on said body portion.

5. A housing according to claim 4 wherein said sleeve section hasretaining ribs thereon which are adapted to frictionally engage anopening in a mounting means to retain said housing thereon.

6. A housing according to claim 4 wherein said sleeve section hasretaining ribs thereon which are adapted to frictionally engage anopening in a mounting means to retain said housing thereon, and saidsleeve section includes a lens structure.

7. A housing according to claim 6 wherein said lens structure isintegral with said sleeve section.

8. A housing according to claim 6 wherein said lens structure isremovable from said sleeve section and has a flange engaging saidmounting means.

9. A housing according to claim 4 wherein stabilizing means are disposedon said housing to engage a mounting means when said housing is mountedthereon and thereby stabilize said body portion.

10. A housing according to claim 9 wherein said stabilizing means extendoutwardly from said base parallel to said sleeve section.

11. A housing according to claim 9 wherein said stabilizing means is asleeve element frictionally engaging the sleeve section.

12. For use in a signal structure containing a pilot lamp or the likehaving electrical leads, a housing of insulative plastic material havinga body portion, a sleeve portion and a cover portion, said body portionincluding a base and walls, post members on said base, said sleeveportion extending outwardly from said base at substantially right :iglesthereto, said cover portion being hingedly conected to said bodyportion, said electrical leads disposed n said post members, connectionmean including conuctor means engaging said post members to interconnectaid electrical leads and conductor means, said post memers providingstrain relief for the electrical connection, staining ribs on saidsleeve portion for frictionally iounting said housing in an aperture ofa panel, and leans for maintaining said cover portion in a closedposiion over said body portion.

13. A housing as set forth in claim 12 wherein said leeve portionincludes a lens structure.

14. A housing as set forth in claim 12 wherein said maintaining meanscomprise extensions of said walls vhich are bent inwardly over saidcover portion and mainained thereover by the application of heatthereto.

15. A housing as set forth in claim 12 wherein said rousing includesstabilizing means engaging said panel to )rovide stabilization for saidbody portion.

16. A housing for electrical components mountable on r panel comprisinga body member of dielectric material lefining a cavity and having meanstherein to maintain the lectrical components in position therewithin, amember slidable through an opening in the panel, a flange extendngoutwardly from said member to prevent the member from passing throughthe opening, means to mount said Jody member in a juxtaposedposition onsaid panel in- :luding a portion of said body member in axial alignmentwith said member, a cover member for said body member to extend acrosssaid cavity, and means on said body member and said cover member tomaintain said cover member on said body member.

17.'A housing for an indicating light and electrical connector memberstherefor mountable on a panel comprising a dielectric body memberincluding a base and Walls for receiving said indicating light andconnector members, cover means for said body member, means on said bodymember for securing said cover means onto said body member to cover saidindicating light and connector members, and means in association withsaid body member for disposition Within an aperture of said panel tohold said housing in position on said panel in a direction substantiallyparallel to said panel and to transmit light emanating from saidindicating light.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 23,921 1/1955Scoville 174-36 X 1,697,954 1/1929 Gribbie 339 1,987,118 1/1935 Lodge339-95 1,994,251 3/1935 Mueller 33995 2,306,389 12/ 1942 Jorgensen.2,880,293 3/ 1959 Blanco. 2,938,110 4/ 1960 Busch et al 340366 X2,995,328 8/ 1961 Whitted 248-71 3,126,185 3/1964 Christman 174164 X3,157,734 11/1964 Derkas 17468.5 X 3,176,255 3/1965 Jensen 2408.16 X

LARAMIE E. ASKIN, Primary Examiner.

I. F. BURNS, Examiner.

W. B. FREDRICKS, J. F. RUGGIERO,

Assistant Examiners.

1. AN INSULATIVE HOUSING FOR CONTAINING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS COMPRISINGA BODY PORTION HAVING A SLEEVE SECTION AND A COVER SECTION HINGEDLYCONNECTED THERETO, POST MEANS DISPOSED ON SAID BODY PORTION, MEANSENGAGING SAID POST MEANS TO MAKE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION WITH THEELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN SAID BODY PORTION, SAID POST MEANS PROVIDINGSTRAIN RELIEF FOR THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AND MEANS TO MAINTAIN SAIDCOVER SECTION IN A CLOSED POSITION ON SAID BODY PORTION OVERLYING SAIDELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.